Several hundred hockey fans attended a free Ottawa Senators practice today at Scotiabank Place.

Sens fan, Stephen Sproule, brought his 7-year-old grandson Benjamin. “It is a great opportunity to see the players up-close and maybe we will get an autograph or something afterwards.”

It's all part of the business plan to spread Sens fever after the lock-out.  

Ticket give-aways are happening across the city. Today Ottawa radio station Majic 100 gave away 400 Sens tickets at the Canadian Tire on Ogilvie Road.

And there is one other way the team is looking to win back fans says Ottawa Senators Owner, Cyril Leeder. "The best tonic in sport is winning, and hopefully we will get off to a good start. There is a lot of pressure on the guys but they are up to the challenge.”

Among the other initiatives is free parking on game day and $1 hot dogs. We will find-out at the first home game on Monday if it worked.